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Saudi Govt Discusses Efforts to Bolster Global Economic Growth

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Discusses Efforts to Bolster Global Economic Growth

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reviewed on Tuesday the Kingdom's ongoing efforts and contributions at the international level to support multilateral action and bolster global economic growth. This includes continued cooperation and coordination with producers within the OPEC+ group to maintain stability in oil markets.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah on Tuesday.

He briefed the cabinet on the discussions he held with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the telephone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The cabinet praised the outcomes of the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council, which reflected the strength of bilateral relations and the mutual keenness to elevate them to broader horizons.

It welcomed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between private-sector entities in both countries, covering clean energy, petrochemical industries, and aviation fuel services, contributing to the shared ambition of establishing an advanced economic partnership.

The cabinet welcomed the Kingdom's hosting of the 21st general conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), scheduled to be held in Riyadh in November. The conference aims to develop joint solutions to challenges related to sustainable industrialization, innovation, and technological transformation.

Moreover, the cabinet praised the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia to protect children in the digital space, stemming from the “Child Protection in Cyberspace” global initiative launched by the Crown Prince.

The move reinforces the initiative's international goals and reflects the Kingdom’s vision through practical steps toward a safe and inclusive digital environment for this age group.

The cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia's continued ranking in the top position in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s cybersecurity indicator for 2025, noting that the achievement adds to the series of successes the sector has accomplished in record time across various international levels. It noted the sector’s successes in supporting technological prosperity, localization of priority technologies, and enhancement of international cooperation.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index 2025 issued by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The achievement confirms the robustness of the Kingdom’s smart digital infrastructure, its attractive investment environment, and the growth of its local digital economy, which has reached SAR495 billion.

The cabinet hailed ongoing successes in combating drug trafficking, including the arrest of criminal networks involved in the trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances in Saudi Arabia. It underscored the continuous security and preventive efforts aimed at protecting the community from this serious issue.

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Gulf

Kuwait Says Iran Attacked Power and Water Desalination Plant, Causing Damage

Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Kuwait Says Iran Attacked Power and Water Desalination Plant, Causing Damage

Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Kuwait said Friday that Iran attacked a power and water desalination plant, causing widespread damage to the station.

Kuwait’s Electricity Water and Renewable Energy Ministry announced the attack, saying it sparked a fire and “damage to a large number of electricity generation units.”

Kuwait said it extinguished the blaze and was working to assess the damage and get the station working again.

Gulf

Qatar Says Child Injured as Missile Attack Intercepted

A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Qatar Says Child Injured as Missile Attack Intercepted

A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)

Qatar announced Friday that its army had intercepted a missile attack, with falling debris injuring a child.

"The Ministry of Defense... announces that the armed forces have intercepted a missile attack that targeted the State of Qatar," the ministry wrote on X.

A child was injured by falling debris after the interception, the interior ministry later reported.

Iran has targeted several Gulf countries since hostilities with the United States resumed on July 7, claiming to be aiming at American military installations.

Qatar, a mediator in talks with the United States alongside Pakistan and host to the largest American base in the Middle East, was targeted on Sunday for the first time since the April truce.

Gulf

Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
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Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)

Iranian attacks on Gulf states have intensified sharply in recent days, with Kuwait bearing the brunt as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed and tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz.

From the renewed escalation last Wednesday through early Thursday, Kuwaiti forces detected about 77 hostile drones and 18 missiles in the country’s airspace, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat tally.

The missiles included eight ballistic missiles and 10 cruise missiles. Kuwaiti forces intercepted or otherwise dealt with the threats.

The latest attacks stood out for causing casualties and damage.

Kuwait said several Iranian strikes targeted vital facilities and scattered debris across multiple locations, causing material damage and injuring six people, including four members of the Kuwaiti armed forces.

Three land border posts in northern Kuwait were also attacked, causing further damage and one injury.

Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah checks on the health condition of those injured as a result of the Iranian aggression. KUNA

Kuwait’s consulate general in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was targeted again on Monday.

Kuwait condemned the attack and acknowledged the Iraqi government’s efforts to confront such incidents. It also called for “immediate and decisive” action to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a recurrence.

The continued attacks drew broad condemnation and expressions of solidarity from Gulf states.

Calls to strike back at launch sites

Academic and political researcher Ayed al-Manaa said Gulf Cooperation Council states should prepare for further Iranian retaliation following US attacks.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Manaa urged Gulf states to respond to the sources of fire rather than remain on the defensive.

He said the escalation showed that Tehran had gone too far, particularly during the 40-day war.

Iran, he added, could retaliate against nearby US forces or Israel instead of targeting Gulf states.

Al-Manaa said Iran’s conduct reflected a lack of respect for Gulf sovereignty and a disregard for fraternal ties, neighborly relations and shared religious bonds.

Gulf states are peaceful countries that maintain normal relations, trade and neighborly ties with Iran, he said.

Tehran had treated that position with disdain, he added, making it necessary for Gulf states to raise their level of readiness and prepare to confront and respond to further attacks.

Fragile truce, vague memorandum

Political analyst Khaled al-Habbas said the renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, and the failure of the ceasefire to hold, showed that the memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June was broad and highly ambiguous.

He said the uncertainty was most evident in provisions dealing with the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions on Tehran and its frozen assets.

Al-Habbas said other factors were also driving the crisis.

These included “the deep hostility and mistrust between the two sides, the aggressive nature of the Iranian regime and the sharp divisions between hardline leaders within the Revolutionary Guards and other officials who support negotiations with the United States.”

Doubts over Iran’s commitment to a deal

“The continuation of Iranian aggression against some Gulf states, alongside attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, indicates that the Iranian side is not serious about reaching a final agreement,” al-Habbas said.

He said the negotiations also faced major obstacles, while the ceasefire remained fragile.

Tension and instability would therefore continue to define the regional landscape for now, he added.

Al-Habbas did not rule out further exchanges of military action in the region, although he said both sides appeared keen to avoid a return to full-scale war.

“The danger remains, however, and all possibilities are still open. This is why Gulf states are following these developments with concern,” he said.

He praised Gulf states for successfully confronting Iranian attacks while continuing to support diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to war and the risks it would pose to the region.

Al-Habbas called for greater regional and international diplomatic pressure on Iran to isolate it politically and expose what he described as its aggression.

He said Iran should be held responsible for the damage caused by “this blatant aggression,” while Gulf states retained the right to defend themselves at a time and place of their choosing.